Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects

by Kathy Ceceri, Sam Carbaugh (Illustrator)

Overview

Once, robots were only found in science fiction books and movies. Today, robots are everywhere! They assemble massive cars and tiny computer chips. They help doctors do delicate surgery. They vacuum our houses and mow our lawns. Robot toys play with us, follow our commands, and respond to our moods. We even send robots to explore the depths of the ocean and the expanse of space. In Robotics, children ages 9 and up learn how robots affect both the future and the present. Hands-on activities make learning both fun and lasting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936749751
Publisher:	Nomad Press
Publication date:	08/01/2012
Series:	Build It Yourself Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kathryn Ceceri teaches history, science, and art enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students and is a columnist for Home Education Magazine. Her crafts and articles have appeared in Child, FamilyFun, and Sesame Street Parents and online at Wired.com. She is the author of Around the World Crafts, Discover the Desert, The Silk Road, and World Myths and Legends. She lives in Schuylerville, New York. Sam Carbaugh is the illustrator of Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself, Discover the Desert, Food: 25 Amazing Projects, and George Washington: 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself. He lives in White River Junction, Vermont.

Table of Contents

Timeline

Introduction: The World of Robotics 1

Chapter 1 Development of Robotics 11

Chapter 2 Housing: Robot Bodies 27

Chapter 3 Actuators: Making Robots Move 38

Chapter 4 Effectors: How Robots Do Things 55

Chapter 5 Sensors: How Robots Know What's Going On 68

Chapter 6 Controllers: How Robots Think 85

Chapter 7 Al, Social Robots, and the Future of Robotics 104

Glossary

Resources

Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"I am very much impressed with this book. It is imaginative and, despite being written for children, not at all 'dumbed down.' Full of interesting information presented in ways that are certain to stir the imagination of its intended audience, features such as 'Words to know,' 'Make your own,' and 'Fascinating Facts' all add to the effectiveness of the presentation."  —Al Dien Professor, Chinese, Emeritus, Stanford University, presenter, Along the Silk Road, interactive workshop for middle school teachers

"If you've got a child who is a robot fanatic, you must grab a copy of this book. Over a dozen hands-on projects and easy-to-understand technical explanations are going to make it a hit with teachers and parents and a must-have for kids." —James Floyd Kelly, author, LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide

"Kathy Ceceri has packed this readable book with tons of information to inspire kids to pursue robots. The activities are creative and will prepare kids to build robots. For children too young to program computers and do soldering, this is the book to whet their appetite for robotics." —Ed Sobey, PhD, author, The Way Toys Work and Unscrewed, cofounder of Kids Invent!

"These exciting, bite-sized science experiments will catapult young readers into the world of robotics." —Daniel H. Wilson, PhD., author of Robopocalypse

"Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge." —Publishers Weekly (July 9, 2012)

Editorial Reviews

Ceceri’s cartoon-illustrated activity book, an addition to the Build It Yourself series, introduces readers to robotics, with information on its history, different robot technologies, and the evolution of the field. Readers are invited to construct their own basic robots, including a pressure sensor that uses an LED light bulb, a watch battery, and aluminum foil; and a model solenoid (used in devices like car door locks), which requires a battery, insulated wire, drinking straws, and other materials. Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Part of the "Build It Yourself" series, Ceceri provides a history and current uses of robots, twenty fairly easy hands-on experiments, and technical discussion of how robots are put together. While this sounds like too much, her narration is clear, concise and interesting. In a section about robots' size and shape she discusses Sprint, a robot designed to fly outside the space station and take pictures. "It was shaped like an oversized soccer ball and covered with soft padding. The padding protected the ship and the astronauts from injury as Sprint floated weightlessly around them in space." I like the image of a giant soccer ball, and I'm also fond of the RoboTuna, that yes, is shaped like a real tuna. My favorite parts of these books, though, are the hands-on projects. I applaud Ceceri for going beyond vibrobot, though those look fun, and including a robotic arm with a discussion of degrees of freedom and simple programming. Backmatter includes a glossary, list of resources, and index. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen

Children's Literature - Amy S. Hansen

Featured title School Library Journal April 2015 "Focus on Robo Reads"
"Robot types and features from the past, present, and near future are introduced in this wide-ranging overview. Twenty hands-on activities relate directly to the concepts introduced in the narrative. A ‘WobbleBot’ project for example, demonstrates robot movements in a simple, doable form. Cartoon illustrations support the narrative and the clear instructions."

Chicago Public Library selects Robotics as one of their best of the best books for Kids for 2013!

Featured title in School Library Journal December 2013 "Focus on Inventions".

Children's Literature Review
“ . . . Ceceri provides a history and current uses of robots, twenty fairly easy hands-on experiments, and technical discussion of how robots are put together.”

5-Minutes for books
"Robotics : Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects is a dream book for the young person who likes to tinker around. All they have to do is open the pages and let their imagination go to town! It is filled with information relating to the history of robots, how you define what is and what is not a robot, and what their uses are. Then, of course, there are twenty experiments contained inside these pages for you to create your own robot. . .I highly recommend Robotics , both for the information that it includes and for the creativity it fosters."

Publisher's Weekly
"Ceceri’s cartoon-illustrated activity book, an addition to the Build It Yourself series, introduces readers to robotics, with information on its history, different robot technologies, and the evolution of the field. . . Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge. Ages 9–12.

Ed Sobey, Ph.D., Global Evangelist for Creative Learning, Co-founder of Kids Invent!
“Kathy Ceceri has packed this readable book with tons of information to inspire kids to pursue robotics. The activities are creative and will prepare kids to build their own robots. For children too young to program computers and use soldering equipment, this is the book to whet their appetite for robotics.”

James Floyd Kelly, Writer of LEGO Mindstorms books
“I’m not sure what I like best about this book—the excellent hands-on projects or the easy-to-follow technical discussions or the behind-the-scenes stories about robots in the real world. Thankfully they’re all wrapped up in one great book for kids.”

Daniel H. Wilson Ph.D., author of Robopocalypse
“These exciting, bite-sized science experiments will catapult young readers into the world of robotics. Just remember to use your newfound powers only for good!”

From the Publisher